The final Premier League outing of 2023/24 for Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United made the trip to Brighton for Roberto De Zerbi’s final fixture as manager of The Seagulls.
The Dutchman named an XI that included fan-favourite Lisandro Martinez for his first start since collecting a knee injury against West Ham in February.
The Reds were looking to collect three points against their hosts for the first time in five meetings.
Amad Diallo was named on the right wing for his third-consecutive start, with Rasmus Hojlund beginning on the bench for the second time in as many outings.
Worryingly, United had suffered defeat in four of their six visits to the Amex – the highest away loss rate against any Premier League opposition.
With a partisan crowd in fine voice before the opening whistle, it was evident that the Dutch man’s side would have a difficult day ahead of them once more.
A stalemate at the half
Brighton started the sounder of the sides and settled into De Zerbi’s final time in the hot seat with a sense of swagger. They moved around the early phases confidently and were keen to ask questions of the United defence.
Alejandro Garnacho is a constant danger who enjoys exploiting his pace beyond unsuspecting defenders. He came close after nine minutes to allowing himself a golden opportunity against the run of play – but Jakob Moder somehow made up for his initial positional error to get back for a crucial interception.
With both sides probing for an early opportunity, Brighton went closest after 12 minutes through the talented Argentine Valentín Barco and probably should have opened the scoring – but for a fine stop from André Onana.
That opportunity spurred the home side on through a barrage of applause and recognition from the adoring support. In contrast, the visitors struggled to maintain possession and control of the ball, looking complacent during simple phases – unlike the previous two outings against Arsenal and Newcastle.
From twenty minutes onwards, it was all Brighton – with endless possession and off-the-ball runs that stretched Ten Hag’s side across the field – it was all too easy.
There was a glimpse of a change of fortune after 26 minutes, with the away side playing themselves out of trouble at the back with some magnificent close control before transitioning into attack. Bruno Fernandes presented Scott McTominay with a golden opportunity inside the area – the Scot blasted over the bar.
Despite an abject performance from the Reds, the travelling support was in a phenomenal voice, as always.
Brighton were unbothered and continued to press and hold possession – with Sofyan Amrabat having a half to forget. The Moroccan struggled in possession, and his positional awareness allowed multiple turnovers in areas of some worry.
After 32 minutes of endless Brighton pressure, João Pedro smashed an open opportunity wide when scoring seemed easier. It was a case of hanging on for United – with only one side looking like breaking the deadlock.
Adam Webster was a danger throughout the half, with his presence from set-pieces continuously causing issues to the United backline – Martinez would have hoped for an easier return to the defensive line, but he received anything but.
Garnacho probed again after 42 minutes – making a great run down the left against Moder before driving a low effort towards the near post and out for a corner.
Referee Craig Pawson signalled an end of the half at the Amex Stadium, with the home support bewildered as to how they weren’t ahead. A stern team talk was required by Ten Hag, with all eyes on his substitutes bench for a spark of energy.
Dalot and Hojlund seal the three points
Both sides remained unchanged for the restart, but the visitors began much stronger – with the pressure again coming down the left side of Garnacho. An early corner presented uncertainty in the Brighton box and a hint of positivity from United.
With five minutes of better play from Ten Hag’s side, Brighton broke and saw Pedro’s effort cleared off the line by Casemiro following some intricate passing by an impressive De Zerbi outfit. Once more, that effort started with a misplaced Amrabat pass in the centre of the field.
Fernandes and co responded well on this occasion, holding possession and more time in their attacking third. A fine passage of play allowed Kobbie Mainoo an opportunity to feed McTominay in the box after 55 minutes, but his heavy effort was blocked by Webster.
Diogo Dalot was becoming more prominent in attacking phases, and his marauding runs were causing endless issues. He came close to connecting with a looped ball over the top after 58 minutes, with Jason Steele happily collecting the effort.
Ten Hag made a double substitution on the hour mark, with one eye on the upcoming FA Cup final. Jonny Evans and Hojlund replaced Fernandes and Martinez. It was a calculated move, with Fernandes on a yellow card and Martinez collecting a much-needed hour in the tank.
While it was hardly vintage Manchester United, it was a much better second-half display. Amad Diallo poured forward after 65 minutes and unleashed from long range, but his effort failed to test the keeper and was high and over.
Amrabat had an evening to forget – in what could be his final outing for the club. He was replaced by Raphael Varane after 69 minutes – with the Frenchman departing Old Trafford in the summer.
United broke the deadlock after 73 minutes through the always-impressive Dalot. A hopeful longball by Casemiro dropped into the path of the Portuguese defender, who calmly slotted his effort past the helpless Steele.
Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen came into the action two minutes later, replacing Mainoo and Amad.
The goal took the steam out of Brighton, with United enjoying more of the ball and the ever-dangerous Hojlund causing endless issues to the Brighton defence with his physicality and stretching runs – he has grown into the focal point of this Manchester attack in the second half of the campaign.
The Dane sealed the three points after 88 minutes with a powerful run and finish inside the box. That’s his tenth Premier League goal in his debut campaign and two nil to Manchester United on the day.
Ten Hag’s side played out the remaining minutes in relative confidence, although the performance wasn’t overly convincing.
The win does not seal European qualification, with an eighth-place finish the lowest in the Premier League era.
However, the Reds can still qualify for the Europa League with an FA Cup win against Manchester City at Wembley next Saturday. Brighton finished a disappointing season in 11th place.
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